Chapter Text
The war had been over for eighteen months. The world celebrated victory, built monuments, and printed biographies of heroes.
But for Hermione Granger, peace did not feel like victory — it felt like the slow fading of a scream that never quite stopped in her head.
After the Battle of Hogwarts, she had dutifully returned to make up for her seventh year. Harry and Ron had come with her, but they had been shadows of their former selves.
As always, they had relied on Hermione. She had structured their homework, maneuvered them through exam anxiety, and ultimately graduated at the top of their class.
Ron had dropped out after just a few weeks. The confines of the castle, the memories of Fred in every corridor – he couldn't bear it and fled to George's shop.
Harry had persevered, only to rush straight into Auror training afterwards. Ginny had fought through, finished her year, but since then she had been plagued by fears of loss that she wore like a second skin.
The Weasleys had tried everything. “Come, live with us at the Burrow, Hermione,” Molly had said again and again. “You'll be safe here. You're family here.” Ginny had also begged her: “Please Hermione, stay!” But Hermione had refused.
She had traveled to Australia, full of hope that she could bring her parents back.
But the spell of oblivion had been too deep. She had done her job too well. She had seen their faces, heard their voices, but there had been no recognition in their eyes.
To Monica and Wendell Wilkins, Hermione Granger was a stranger.
She had saved them, but she had lost them forever.
Since then, things had gone downhill.
Quietly.
Secretly.
Invisibly.